DUBAI Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is getting set to showcase its plans for 2011 with the largest stand in World Travel Market’s Middle East section at 630 sq m.
DTCM will welcome 62 co-exhibitors and has a busy programme of on-stand activity.
With its focus on authentic Arabia, Dubai is keen to demonstrate its own traditions, which will be showcased in a brand new culture and heritage space on the Dubai stand.
This will include a henna tattoo artist, two falcons and a calligrapher demonstrating their crafts. Emirati students will also be offering visitors to the stand their first-hand experience of life in Dubai.
Elsewhere, the DTCM will be hosting a ‘thank you’ breakfast for some key tour operators, providing a platform for introductions to some of the key co-exhibitors on the stand which include The Address Hotels &Resorts, The Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa, Jumeirah, Atlantis, The Palm, Gulf Ventures and Dubai Shopping Festival.
Giving back is also at the heart of the DTCM’s latest project, which sees a tie up with international clean water charity Just A Drop as an official fundraising partner. As well as serving Just A Drop water to visitors, the stand will also feature a well for charitable donations. DTCM’s director for the UK and Ireland, Ian Scott, will also be canvassing support for his own marathon fundraising effort for Just A Drop – running the Dubai Marathon which takes place on January 21, 2011 in Dubai.
After a successful year, with international visitor figures up by nine per cent in the first half of 2010, Dubai is reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most popular destinations, aided by many exciting firsts such as the opening of the world’s tallest building - Burj Khalifa - and the world’s first Armani Hotel in the tower. Exiting news for 2011 includes the opening of the Palazzo Versace, the all-inclusive luxury resort The Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa and the world’s highest restaurant – Atmosphere – which will open in January 2011, on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa.
The DTCM has also chosen WTM to unveil its own news – a distinctive brand identity, ‘Definitely Dubai’, which will go hand-in-hand with a new consumer website which will include UK-specific information such as air travel and tour operators that feature Dubai.
Commenting on the DTCM’s presence at WTM, Scott said: “This year at WTM we are proud to showcase how 2010 has been a great year for Dubai, which is reflected in the rise in visitor numbers, the range of exciting new openings and the many enticing new projects in the pipeline for 2011.
“But alongside this focus on the future, we also want to emphasise Dubai’s cultural offering, which is sometimes overlooked.
“We’re proud to have our first ever cultural and heritage space on the stand this year to reflect the culture which makes Dubai such a special place. World Travel Market allows us to take stock of the many successes of the last year but also to look forward to 2011, which promises to be an exciting year for both Dubai and the DTCM.”